Quiet Charm: A Guide to Jinxian Lu

Tucked away between the better known streets of Shaanxi Lu and Maoming Lu lies a quirky little avenue full of art, fashion, and great food. Jinxian Lu provides the perfect place to stroll while shopping for those hard-to-find outfits and accessories. Stop at one of the local cafes to grab a bite to eat before checking out all that this charming street has to offer.

What to see?

The Lomography Store, Shanghai
Whether you’re a serious photography buff or only post pictures on Facebook, you can learn something by popping by The Lomography Store. Lomography achieves its unique results from the fact that it’s analogue film as opposed to digital. This six floor warehouse is a mecca for all things lomography. On the first floor you’ll find the main store, with cameras ranging from 200 RMB to 4,600 RMB. You can flip through photography books on the second floor or browse through accessories (some camera related, some not) on the third. The fourth floor acts as a gallery where various lomographers are displayed. The fifth floor houses a café and outdoor bar, while the top floor is simply offices. Plan on spending a good bit of time here, as there’s always plenty to see!

The Mind Offices space houses a variety of businesses, but one in particular draws the crowds – Catwalkspecializes in custom tailored evening gowns in materials ranging from silk to Swarovski crystals. Keep in mind that it’s best to make an appointment if you’re doing anything other than casual browsing. And yes ladies, they do sell wedding dresses!

There is no shortage of style on Jinxian Lu. Blutta is the perfect place to stock up on those party outfits. The store’s in-house designer adds light-up shirts and jewelry to the mix. Box In gears more towards the urban style, with some environmentally-friendly products for sale, while Revoltage is purely for the rockers. Their animal print pants and wild t-shirts make this a fun place to shop.

Need some accessories for all those great outfits you just bought? Head over to Boa Store, where their original and hand made designs guarantee you’ll stand out. And just so the men don’t feel left out, there’s Capital Joy, a menswear boutique offering suits, shirts, coats, and belts.

Where to eat?

Bliss Café & Lounge, Shanghai

Bliss Café & Lounge is a cute little neighborhood café and bar that provides light refreshment for a midday pick-me-up. In the Mind Offices space, Pier 39 offers coffee, smoothies, salads, and sandwiches in a relaxed environment. For heavier fare, try Qing Mai Heaven, a family-style Thai restaurant, or Lan Xin for some homestyle Shanghainese. Want a break from Asian food? Try Osteria, an Italian restaurant that offers a 198 RMB fixed menu and fixed price wines or Le Cygne, a French restaurant that’s a fun throwback to old Shanghai.

Osteria, Shanghai

Where to drink?

Citizen Café & Bar, Shanghai

Popular with the expats, Citizen Café & Bar is known for its martinis. Their comfy first floor seating also happens to be the perfect place to sip on said martinis! Try Lounge 169 for a throwback to 1920’s Shanghai, with plenty of chandeliers, dark wood, and excellently mixed cocktails.

Where to party?
TangTang Bar is a dive bar in pretty much every sense of the word. Its pool tables, rock music, and relatively cheap drinks (about 35 RMB for beer and 45 RMB for cocktails) make it an interesting place to party. Or maybe it’s the stripper pole… Either way, TangTang Bar is an experience unto itself.

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